Team-BHP - Resurrection: A CJ3B STORY

Today we mounted the read differential back on to the leaf springs. we have started to re-assemble the rear end of the vehicle. The inner oil seals were replaced with new ones as old ones had become very hard over the time and were of no use. The rear axles were cleaned and put back in after replacing the old bearings with new ones. Brake plates were tightened to the ends, here also new hub seals have replaced the old ones. The wheel cylinders are being serviced and the rear brake assemblies would be put back together tomorrow.

I spent most of the day scrapping and cleaning the Chassis frame today. Layers of paint and rust put on over the years are slowly giving way. More and more bare metal is becoming visible, which is being covered with a very thin layer of oil to prevent oxidation till the time we are able to clean it all up for priming.

@ Torque-ative: Thanks Naveen !! The person whom we both shall be thanking is Mandeep. I infact met Jarnail Singhji through him only back when we started work together. I will be always obliged to Mandeep for having me introduced to this gem of a person. Over the year that I have known Jarnail Singhji (Call him Mamaji) our relationship has grown from mere work level to family like now. He works on his own pace but really does a superb job.

This build is not like any previous one that we have undertaken. All the things are falling together automatically. I also hope this rebuild will complete in record time with regard to our previous ones.

@ Allana13: The final color has been decided after some long discussions this Saturday. We will unveil it after we spray the base coat on the Jeep, to have comments from all of you who have been following this thread.

As I dont have a very extensive setup in my garage. The Chassis is being rubbed or scrapped with help of hand tools and metal brush attached to an angle grinder to get rid of the old paint and rust.

Most of this week has not seen much action on work front due to incessant rains in and around Delhi. We have managed to complete work on the Differentials, Wheels and Brake Assemblies. In all we replaced wheel bearings and oil seals on all four wheels. As none of the brake plates had brake shoe assemblies attached to them and also the wheel cylinders were also jammed due to rust. They have been replaced with new ones.

Making most of the clear weather we had starting from yesterday afternoon and today. We sprayed a coat of metal primmer onto the chassis frame which has been stripped of all the old paint and rust. We also spray painted the body tub with the base coat which has been matched to the shade of final coat to have an idea about how the final jeep will come out. Naveen(Torque-ative) also dropped by in the afternoon accompanied by his family. I am happy that he liked the work done, also got his final go ahead on the color shade. So if the weather permits we will try to speed things up in getting the jeep painted and also completing the mechanical work left. We are still left with assembly of the engine, cleaning and servicing of the gearbox/transfer case, overhauling the master cylinder assembly and remounting the steering box and pedals to complete the work on mechanical front. So I will sign off now wishing for more clear weather for next few days to complete work on this build.

@ Indrojit: Indrojit this going to be the thrid Jeep that we have painted. The paint used is is 2K system from Dupont range of products. We paint it under the open sky as I have a very small setup and can not afford a proper booth type paint system. I believe in the end it is the product and skill (painter) used in the Job that will ensure the kind of finished product we get. Off course spraying in controlled environment of paint booth does have its own merits. Did you get my PM ?

@ Torque-ative: Naveen I also wish the same. Infact I also want this build to complete on time as I have been working seven days a week for over six months now. It has been difficult juggling between taking care of my family business and the workshop. My family has been complaining yet very supportive since the time I started work on my Mahindra CJ3B (Which I re-painted for Docfreak). I would sure like to take a long brake from all this running around before starting the next project.

@gonewithwind: Yes the Jeep sure is coming out amazingly but I am going to be a proud rebuilder of this Machine, which is infact owned by torque-ative

@docfreak: The reason for your Jeep still standing in the back ground is more to do with the fact that I am out of my wits. I am not sure what else to try on it in order to make it run perfectly on mechanical fuel pump alone. As you are also aware of my thread regarding the same problem and the suggestions we got there. I am still not able to get hold of fuel pump which lasts rigors of everyday city traffic in a 3B. I am sorry we both have lost a lot of time on this one. hope find the answer to this mystery. of sort!!

Diesel maniac, the ammount of job you do is just incredible. To you and the rest of the people in India probably this is just a normal view, but to me is a work of art. You have my father's and my full attention. We keep reading and watching your threads over and over again. I just hope this will be the sight in my yard next summer, I plan on restoring a CJ3A...

@Jeepmkd: Thanks jeepmkd for appreciation. We have only been able to achieve this result due to the efforts put in by all members on the team. I am very grateful to all the people working with me for understanding and ensuring the output of work is excellent. I wish you all the luck for restoration of your CJ3A. I will sure be following your thread on the restoration when you start the work. Do pay my regards to your father.

@Allana13: Thanks for appreciating the work allana. The white jeep that you see in the background was my first Jeep. It has been re-painted recently for a fellow T-bhpian (Docfreak). Allana the kind of speeds one usually does on CJ3B does not need disc brakes. Original drum brakes do a fine job of stopping this beast in its tracks. Of course disc brakes will be part of the next CJ3B project that I am planning for myself.